Melvin Kranzberg
Melvin Kranzberg (born November 22, 1917 in St. Louis , Missouri , † December 6, 1995 ) was an American technical historian. Among other things, the six "Kranzberg Technology Laws" are named after him.
Live and act
Kranzberg studied at Amherst College and Harvard University , where he earned his PhD . During the Second World War he served as a soldier in Europe.
He was one of the founders of the Society for the History of Technology in the United States, whose Leonardo da Vinci Medal he received in 1967. In addition to his work as a scientist, Kranzberg is known for his technology laws, which on the one hand have a serious scientific core, but on the other hand must be understood with a certain wink.
Kranzberg's laws
- Kranzberg's First Law: Technology is neither good nor bad; it is still neutral.
- Kranzberg's Second Law: Inventions create new necessities. ("Invention is the mother of necessity.")
- Kranzberg's Third Law: Technology is delivered in (small or large) packages.
- Kranzberg's Fourth Law: While technology may be a major element in many public issues, non-technical factors determine political decisions.
- Kranzberg's Fifth Law: History is important, but the history of engineering is most important.
- Kranzberg's Sixth Law: Technology is a very human activity - and so is the history of technology.
Fonts
- Melvin Kranzberg: Technology and History: 'Kranzberg's Laws' . Technology and Culture. 27 (3), 1986, pp. 544-560.
Web links
- Obituary (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Kranzberg, Melvin |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American historian of technology |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 22, 1917 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | St. Louis , Missouri , USA |
| DATE OF DEATH | December 6, 1995 |